The Elephanta Caves (180 56’ 20” N; 720 55’ 50” E), taluka
Uran, district Raigad is located on island hills about 11 km
north-east of the Apollo Bandar, Mumbai and 7 km from the shore of the
mainland, approximately covering an area of 7 km in circumference. The
island is named after a colossal elephant found in the island, which
is popularly known as ‘Gharapuri’. At present, the statue of
elephant is housed at Jijamata Garden in Mumbai. In ancient period,
the place is variously identified as Puri which is mentioned in the
Aihole inscription of Pulakesin II. It seems, different dynasties held
their sway over this island, namely, the Konkan-Mauryas, Trikutakas,
Chalukyas of Badami, Silaharas, Rashtrakutas, Kalyani Chalukyas,
Yadavas of Deogiri, Muslim rulers of Ahmedabad and then by the
Portuguese. The Marathas also had this island under their control and
from them it passed into the control of the British.

There are seven cave excavations in the Elephanta group and these
are datable from circa 6th – 7th centuries A.D. Among the cave
excavations, the Cave 1 is the most impressive which represents the
evolved Brahmanical rock-cut architecture. The cave is also famous for
the exquisite and vibrant sculptures. On plan it almost resembles the
Dumar Lena (Cave 29) of Ellora. The cave has a main entrance on the
north with two other openings on the east and west respectively and a
central hall with six rows of pillared columns, six in each row except
on the western corner, where a shrine of lingam is provided.

On plan, there are three large square recesses divided off by
pilasters each of them bearing a gigantic image of a dvarapala. The
panel on the east has a figure of ardhanarisvara, a form of Siva with
the combined energies of male and female; and on the west figures of
Siva and Parvati playing chausar is carved. The central recess holds
the most famous and remarkable sculpture of this period known as the
Mahesa-murti. It is a colossal bust of the three forms of Siva, the
aghora, turbulent and fearsome; tatpurusha, benign and meditative and
vamadeva, mild pleasing and lovable. The other notable panels in the
main cave are Andhakasuravada murti; cosmic dance of Nataraja;
Kalyanasundara murti; Gangadhara murti; Ravana shaking Kailasa and
Siva as Lakulisa. A panel depicting Saptamatrikas near the eastern
opening is also remarkable.